Exchange Your Current USB Drive for a Free, Encrypted USB Drive

In 2011 a university policy went into effect, requiring most data storage devices to be encrypted. This policy was enacted to reduce the chance of a compromise involving university data.

To assist with policy compliance, UF Information Technology sponsors several events throughout the year designed to get secure, encrypted USB drives to UF faculty and staff. All faculty and staff are eligible to participate in this program. Students also serving as grad assistants and TAs with UF data to secure are also eligible-grad assistants and TAs should bring a copy of a pay stub to verify employment.

At USB Exchange Program events, faculty and staff may exchange one un-encrypted USB flash drive for a new, encrypted USB drive of equivalent capacity. Although only one trade-in is allowed in the program, faculty and staff are encouraged to bring any additional drives they have for safe disposal. Be sure to back up the data on the flash drive being exchanged before coming to a USB Exchange Program event.

Note: The goal of the USB Exchange Program is to retire as many un-encrypted USB drives as possible from the university campus.

Therefore, only one USB drive per person may be exchanged.

USB drive instructions and resources